'Central Park' Season 1 Finale Preview: What is a snakehead and will Paige finally expose Bitsy's plans?
Apple TV+’s animated musical comedy series, ‘Central Park’, is approaching its season finale. In episode 9, ‘Live It Up Tonight’, we saw Paige (Kathryn Hahn) and Owen (Leslie Odom Jr) deal with Bitsy’s (Stanley Tucci) biggest attack against the park -- and them -- so far.
The evil hotel heiress’ latest plan was for the Mayor to present her with a made-up award, and while congratulating her in front of the audience, for him to let slip how the park was mismanaged. And how the park’s manager, Owen, was corrupt.
To gather dirt on Owen, Bitsy made the mayor send their toughest auditor down to the park to go through the numbers. While he was an honest man (and an organized one), the auditor found a discrepancy in Owen’s records.
For a shipment of worms, there was no receipt. To track down the receipt, Owen and Paige had to run to Brooklyn (in the middle of a downpour and with no cabs around) and track down the worm bill from the store where it was purchased.
While they were successful in averting the trouble, this egg on Bisty’s face would cost them. So, what can we expect from the season finale? Titled ‘A Fish Called Snakehead’, Apple TV+’s official synopsis for the episode says, “Owen and his family search for a snakehead fish that might be in the Harlem Meer. Bitsy works with a likability consultant.”
Why a snakehead fish? Well, for starters, ‘Central Park’ has not shied away from bringing in the park’s flora and fauna into the story’s fold. From the tulips to owls to rats to squirrels, all things have played a huge part in the show’s story. So, it’s safe to assume that the fish will play a big role in the finale.
What’s a snakehead? It is a large, long fish with a mottled, snake-like pattern. It is an invasive species. Snakeheads prefer to eat fish, but will also feed on frogs, crustaceans and small birds, mammals, or reptiles. In other words, the fish is a danger to any ecosystem.
Can it be that this snakehead was introduced by Bitsy into the waters to lay waste to the famous pond? It certainly seems like her style. Add to that, it would also serve as another reminder that the park is being mismanaged.
Another thing to look forward to in the season finale is Paige’s long investigative report on Bitsy. The journalist has been, since episode 1, trying to uncover the story. And now she knows what it is. She knows how Bitsy influenced the mayor’s office, and that she plans to go into business with a Russian oligarch, and that she plans to destroy Central Park.
While Paige is low on hard evidence, the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. And knowing Paige’s wild streak, she just might be reckless enough to take the story forward even without evidence to back it. Also, it would make sense for her to do that in the season finale. After all, what better way to end the season than with Bitsy’s evil plans being exposed for the whole world to see?
New episodes of ‘Central Park’ air every Friday on Apple TV+.